Art in Mind is a programme of monthly art workshops for people living with dementia and their companions or care givers.

The programme has been running since 2013 and responds to the vision of lifelong learning, engaging with adults in the early stages of dementia and their companions or care givers. Research has shown that artistic stimulation prolongs the ability of people living with dementia to play an active part in society. 

The Lightbox has always believed that art makes you feel good and by focusing on the participants' new expression of creativity we can encourage positivity and discussion.

Sessions are led by an artist and works from The Ingram Collection are used to inspire both conversation and creativity. We choose a different artwork each month to look at, which enables us to work with different materials each time. It could be that we use clay, acrylics, watercolours or sketching materials, anything which lends itself to the original artwork. The idea is that the participants respond to the piece, rather than trying to make a copy of it. 

“Just wanted to say thanks for yesterday. Mum and I both enjoyed ourselves and it was so good to have others taking an interest in her and her engaging with them - the warmth of the volunteers was most heartwarming. I love it when Mum's sense of humour comes to the fore, as it did yesterday. Considering she was feeling very ropey when we arrived, she did very well, and was definitely feeling better when we left. I look forward to next month!”

You can learn more about the programme and what it means to the participants and companions on our Lightbox stories page here.

We are currently fully booked for this project, but please contact Heather below if you would like to be added to the waiting list.

If you are interested to find out more about supporting this programme or for more information please email Heather Thomas, Head of Learning and Engagement, [email protected] or 01483 737815.